antigen-antibody complex here the complex formed by the noncovalent binding of an antibody and antigen. Complexes of antibodies belonging to certain immunoglobulin classes may activate complement. Called also immune complex.

anti-inhibitor coagulant complex (AICC) a concentrated fraction from pooled human plasma, which includes various coagulation factors. It is administered intravenously as an antihemorrhagic in hemophilic patients with inhibitors to coagulation factor VIII.

castration complex in psychoanalytic theory, unconscious thoughts and motives stemming from fear of loss of the genitals as punishment for forbidden sexual desires.

Electra complex libidinous fixation of a daughter toward her father. This term is rarely used, since oedipus complex is generally applied to both sexes.

factor IX complex a sterile, freeze-dried powder consisting of partially purified coagulation factor IX fraction, as well as concentrated factor II, VII, and X fractions, of venous plasma from healthy human donors. It is used in the prophylaxis and treatment of bleeding in patients with hemophilia B, replacement of factor VII in patients deficient in that factor, and treatment of anticoagulant-induced hemorrhage. Administered intravenously.

inclusion complex one in which molecules of one type are enclosed within cavities in the crystalline lattice of another substance.

inferiority complex unconscious feelings of inadequacy, producing shyness or timidity or, as a compensation, exaggerated agressiveness and expression of superiority; based on Alfred Adler's concept that everyone is born with a feeling of inferiority stemming from real or imagined physical or psychological deficiency, with the manner in which the inferiority is handled determining behavior.

interpolated premature ventricular complex a premature ventricular complex that does not interfere with the conduction of the next sinus beat, i.e., it lacks the usual following compensatory pause.

major histocompatibility complex (MHC) the chromosomal region containing genes that control the histocompatibility antigens; in humans it controls the hla antigens.

membrane attack complex (MAC) C5b,6,7,8,9, the five-molecule complex that is the cytolytic agent of the complement system.

1. the combination of a parenchymal pulmonary lesion (Ghon focus) and a corresponding lymph node focus, occurring in primary tuberculosis, usually in children. Similar lesions may also be associated with other mycobacterial infections and with fungal infections.

2. the primary cutaneous lesion at the site of infection in the skin, e.g., chancre in syphilis and tuberculous chancre.

QRS complex a group of waves seen on an electrocardiogram, representing ventricular depolarization. Called also QRS wave. It actually consists of three distinct waves created by the passage of the cardiac electrical impulse through the ventricles and occurs at the beginning of each ventricular contraction. In a normal surface electrocardiogram the R wave is the upward deflection; the first downward deflection represents a Q wave and the final downward deflection is the S wave. The Q and S waves may be extremely weak and sometimes are absent.

One abnormality of the QRS complex is increased voltage resulting from enlargement of heart muscle, which produces increased quantities of electric current. A low-voltage QRS complex may result from toxic conditions of the heart, most commonly from fluid in the pericardium. Pleural effusion and emphysema also can cause a decrease in the voltage of the QRS complex.

antigen-antibody complex a complex formed by the binding of antigen to antibody.

anti-inhibitor coagulant complex (AICC) a concentrated fraction from pooled human plasma, which includes various coagulation factors; used as an antihemorrhagic in hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors.

atrial complex the P wave of the electrocardiogram, representing electrical activation of the atria.

atrial premature complex (APC) a single ectopic atrial beat arising prematurely, which may be associated with structural heart disease.

atrioventricular (AV) junctional premature complex an ectopic beat arising prematurely in the atrioventricular junction and traveling toward both the atria and ventricles if unimpeded, causing the P wave to be premature and abnormal or absent and the QRS complex to be premature.

branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase complex a multienzyme complex that catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of the keto acid analogues of the branched chain amino acids; deficiency of any enzyme of the complex causes maple syrup urine disease.

castration complex in psychoanalytic theory, unconscious thoughts and motives stemming from fear of damage to or loss of sexual organs as punishment for forbidden sexual desires.

Eisenmenger's complex a defect of the interventricular septum with severe pulmonary hypertension, hypertrophy of the right ventricle, and latent or overt cyanosis.

Electra complex the counterpart in females of the Oedipus complex, involving the daughter's love for her father and jealousy or resentment towards her mother; now rarely used since Oedipus complex (q.v.) has come to be applied to both sexes.

β-glycosidase complex the enzyme complex comprising lactase and phlorhizin hydrolase activities, occurring in the brush border membrane of the intestinal mucosa and hydrolyzing lactose as well as cellobiose and cellotriose.

Golgi complex Golgi apparatus; a complex cellular organelle consisting mainly of a number of flattened sacs (cisternae) and associated vesicles, involved in the synthesis of glycoproteins, lipoproteins, membrane-bound proteins, and lysosomal enzymes. The sacs form primary lysosomes and secretory vacuoles.

major histocompatibility complex (MHC) the chromosomal region containing genes that control the histocompatibility antigens. In humans, it controls the HLA antigens.

membrane attack complex (MAC) the pentamolecular complex of components C5b,6,7,8,9 formed in the final pathway of complement activation, inserting into the target cell membrane where it creates a pore and results in cytolysis.

Oedipus complex the feelings and conflicts occurring in a child that result from sexual attraction to the opposite-sex parent, including envious, aggressive feelings toward the same-sex parent.

pore complex a nuclear pore and its annulus considered together.

primary complex

1. the combination of a Ghon focus and a corresponding lymph node focus in primary tuberculosis in children; similar lesions are seen with other mycobacterial and fungal infections.

2. the primary cutaneous lesion at the site of skin infection, e.g., a chancre in syphilis or tuberculosis.

pyruvate dehydrogenase complex a multienzyme complex that catalyzes the formation of acetyl coenzyme A from pyruvate and coenzyme A; deficiency of any component of the complex results in lacticacidemia, ataxia, and psychomotor retardation.

QRS complex the portion of the electrocardiogram comprising the Q, R, and S waves, together representing ventricular depolarization.

sucrase-isomaltase complex the enzyme complex comprising sucrase and isomaltase activities, occurring in the brush border of the intestinal mucosa and hydrolyzing maltose as well as maltotriose and some other glycosidic bonds.

synaptonemal complex the structure formed by the synapsis of homologous chromosomes during the zygotene stage of meiosis I.

Tacaribe complex a group of antigenically related viruses comprising the New World arenaviruses, including Junin virus, the agent of Argentinian hemorrhagic fever, and Machupo virus, the agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever.

com·plex

1. psychiatry An organized constellation of feelings, thoughts, perceptions, and memories that may be in part unconscious and may strongly influence associations and attitudes.

2. chemistry The relatively stable combination of two or more compounds into a larger molecule without covalent binding.

3. A composite of chemical or immunologic structures.

4. An anatomic structure made up of three or more interrelated parts.

5. An informal term used to denote a group of individual structures known or believed to be anatomically, embryologically, or physiologically related.

6. Atrial or ventricular systole as it appears on an electrocardiographic tracing.

[L. complexus, woven together]

complex

A psychoanalytic term defining a group of tendencies, with strong emotional associations, but which is socially unacceptable and therefore repressed—with dire consequences. Freudians lay great emphasis on the Oedipus complex, which is said to be based on the desire for sexual access to the mother and the wish to dispose of the father. See also FREUDIAN THEORY.

com·plex

(kom'pleks, kŏm-pleks')

1. A structural anatomic entity made up of three or more interrelated parts.

2. An informal term used to denote a group of individual structures known or believed to be related anatomically, embryologically, or physiologically.

[L. complexus, woven together]

complex,

n a combination of a number of things; the sum or total of various things.

the bringing together of all of the enzymes involved in a series of reactions such that the product of enzyme A is passed directly to enzyme B and so on to the final product.

olivary nuclear complex

gray matter located in the medulla oblongata dorsal to the pyramidal tracts; an important part of the motor feedback regulatory mechanism.

primary complex

the combination of a parenchymal pulmonary lesion and a corresponding lymph node focus, occurring in primary tuberculosis. Similar lesions may also be associated with other mycobacterial infections and with fungal infections.

Patient discussion about complex

Q. When is the best time to take vitamin B complex? I mean- after / before a meal? with what foods? etc.

A. vitamin B complex is acidic, you might want to take it right after meals. i tried taking it on an empty stomach and got a terrible nausea...

Q. I have an injury called CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) I desparately need help. Had 4 surgeries-no help The pain is excruciating every second, in my left hand and arm,with no relief. I don't know where to go next or what to pursue. I've tried every pain med there is and steroidal injections and nerve stimulator implant in back, but nothing has worked. Can't believe the pain- keeps me up at night and is a killer every other second of the day. Can anyone help???
Any suggestions I may not have tried???
I am desparate for some relief.
Thanks
Joe

A. It really sounds like you are suffering a great deal. Have you seen a pain specialist? Have you ever tried any kinds of stronger pain medications such as narcotics? I am only suggesting them as your last option to handle pain because no one should suffer this high amount of pain. You should discuss this with you primary care physician. I would also suggest talking to someone about your level of stress, because all this pain can cause you anxiety and you may find it helpful to talk to a psychologist or psychiatrist, see if they can help with that. I don't have any suggestions about the neurological problem because it sounds like you have tried everything there is to offer.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.